Reece Walsh came of age in 2025. Who can possibly stop him next year?
But they say luck favors the brave. Walsh will never die of curiosity, and considering he’s only 23, there’s every reason to believe the best is yet to come.
It will be fascinating to watch if he and the Broncos can take their game to another level in 2026. But there are countless other stories that will fascinate fans.
Watch out for panthers
Reece Walsh ended Nathan Cleary’s title reign in the 2025 preliminary final and then inspired Brisbane to win the premiership decider a week later.Credit: NRL
After the Broncos ended Penrith’s four-year title dynasty with a Walsh-inspired 16-point comeback in the preliminary final, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary asked in typically nonchalant fashion: “What’s over?”
This will be the attitude of the dethroned champions. After a slow start to 2025, they settled in seventh place, won two play-offs and are five minutes away from a sixth successive decider.
They will be keen to regain the crown with essentially the same group of players led by champions Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.
Chooks with cherry ripeness
Roosters captain James Tedesco and new recruit Daly Cherry-EvansCredit: Peter Rae
As the Roosters finally confirmed rugby league’s worst-kept secret – the transfer of former Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans – my colleague Christian Nicolussi observed: “16 rival NRL clubs can admit they are playing for second place in 2026.”
This is a big decision, but “Nico” backs it up with a compelling argument.
The Roosters are banking on DCE, who has had a similar impact as Cooper Cronk, who helped the Chooks win back-to-back titles in 2018-19 after moving from Melbourne.
Former Queensland captain Cherry-Evans will be 37 next season, making him the NRL’s oldest player, but his experience and game management will be worth every penny of the reported $500,000 the Roosters paid for him.
They will be there when the trial comes to an end.
Is Wayne losing weight?
Wayne Bennett.Credit: NRL Pictures
When South Sydney sacked Jason Demetriou and announced the return of Wayne Bennett for a second spell as coach, it’s safe to assume they weren’t expecting to battle other players to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Rabbitohs, devastated by injuries, limped home in 14th place; this was the worst result of Bennett’s unrivaled career.
The great man has not made the play-offs since guiding Souths to a grand final defeat against Penrith in 2021.
There is no shortage of talent in his squad, which includes Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cody Walker, Brandon Smith, Campbell Graham and David Fifita. So how quickly can the coach, who will be 76 at kick-off next season, turn these around?
Lachlan Galvin’s time to shine
Lachlan Galvin was constantly in the headlines last season.Credit: Getty Images
It’s hard to believe that Lachlan Galvin is still only 20 years old, as he’s already been exposed to more excitement and hysteria than most players endure in their entire careers.
Maybe it’s time to put aside the controversy caused by his mid-season departure from Wests Tigers to Canterbury and let the boy play some football.
Galvin has 45 NRL games under his belt and is by all accounts pushing himself to get fitter and faster in pre-season. Ready to throw P-plates aside.
Melbourne’s renewal
Storm coach Craig Bellamy.Credit: Getty Images
No one dares underestimate the mighty Melbourne Storm.
But after back-to-back grand final defeats and the subsequent departures of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jonah Pezet and Grant Anderson (with Elisa Katoa unavailable due to concussion), there is a rare sense of vulnerability about them.
That being said, Craig Bellamy’s genius is Storm’s system and culture rather than the individuals. There is no better coach to ignite the juggernaut.
A spoon of medicine
Dylan Brown shares a joke with his future Newcastle team-mates after his final game at Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
Dylan Brown played a part in the 66-10 wooden spoon win over Newcastle in his last game for Parramatta.
Now the Kiwi eight-eighth faces the task of getting the Knights out of the cellar by signing a remarkable 10-year contract reportedly worth $13 million.
If Brown can unlock the likes of Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Bradman Best and Dominic Young, new coach Justin Holbrook will have plenty of firepower.
So do Newcastle have forwards who can bring their backs forward?
caught situation
Defeat at Origin was a bitter pill for Laurie Daley.Credit: NRL Pictures
It’s a worrying situation for NSW fans who are still stinging after the Blues allowed Queensland to come from 1-0 down to win the 2025 Origin series.
Will the Maroons be even stronger if they reinstate the aforementioned Walsh at fullback?
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If he starts next year the way he did this season, it’s hard to imagine Walsh not being the first player selected.
It’s another dilemma for Blues coach Laurie Daley, who desperately needs a result after one win from the six series he has managed.
